Col. Ret. Gregg T. Habel has been appointed as the executive director of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North based in New Orleans. As executive director, he also has been appointed to the federal civil service as a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Col. Ret. Gregg Habel

Formerly the Chief of Staff for Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer, Commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, Habel is retiring after more than 27 years of service with the U.S. Marine Corps. A ceremony in observance of his retirement was held Dec. 7 in Jackson Square.

Habel was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in May 1985, having completed his undergraduate education in political science at the U.S. Naval Academy. An infantryman by trade, he deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, graduated with honors from Amphibious Warfare School, and holds Masters Degrees in Manpower and Personnel Management and National Strategy. Habel’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.

“Col. Habel’s appointment as Executive Director ensures lasting continuity in an organization where commanders come and go every few years,” said Hummer.

Members of the SES serve in the key positions just below top presidential appointees. As such, SES members are the major link between presidential appointees and the rest of the federal civil service work force.